Original subtitles

[DRIVER]:HURRY UP!

LATE ENOUGH AS IT IS.

[ELDER RODNEY, READING]:THERE'S A JOKE

SOME OF THE OLD-TIMERS USED TO TELL

ABOUT CANAAN, TEXAS.

"OH, CANAAN?

THAT'S THE PROMISED LAND, ALL RIGHT...

"AND THE BANK'S GOT THE PROMISSORY NOTES

TO PROVE IT."

NOW, WHILE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN TRUE FOR MANY,

FOR DANIEL BURTON AND HIS FAMILY,

IT WAS TRUER THAN MOST.

NOT TOO THICK NOW.

THE JAR'S GOT TOLAST US ALL WEEK.

I'M TELLING YOU,

IF WE'D HAVE PLANTED SOY BEAN INSTEAD OF ALL THAT ALFALFA,

WE MIGHT HAVE SOMETHIN' WORTH SELLING.

WE'LL GET BY SOMEHOW.

WE ALWAYS DO.

DJ UP?

- BUS'LL BE HERE SOON.- IN HIS ROOM.

"...GOING TO NEW YORK."

YOU STILL DOING HOMEWORK?

[GRUMBLES]: I COULDFINISH FOR ONCE...

IF I DIDN'T HAVESO MANY CHORES.

WELL, YOU BEST HUSTLE IF YOU WANT BREAKFAST.

OKAY... [SIGHS]

I'M ON IT.

COFFEE CAN WAIT.

RODNEY?

BEST BE GOIN'.

BUS'LL BE HERE DIRECTLY.

[EUNICE CLEARS HER THROAT]

ALMOST FORGOT MY BOOK!

AND MY SUGAR.

MWAH!

THAT BOY AND HIS BOOKS...

[RODNEY]:UNLIKE THE BURTONS, MY GRANDMA OWNED OUR FARM...

FREE AND CLEAR.

EVEN SO,

FOR A BLACK BOY GROWING UP IN THE RURAL SOUTH

IN THE '60S,

CANAAN OFFERED A PROMISE OF A DIFFERENT SORT.

HURRY UP, BOY.

WE'RE LATE ENOUGH AS IT IS.

[♪]

[BOY GASPS WITH PAIN]

[♪]

DJ?

SISSY!

BUS IS HERE.

[♪]

BYE, PAPA.

HAVE A GOOD DAY,HONEY.

DJ!

I'M COMIN'!

[DOOR CREAKS]

BYE, PAPA.

BYE, SON.

HANG ON, I'M COMING!

[♪]

HURRY UP,HURRY UP!

GRAB A SEAT.

LATE ENOUGH AS IT IS!

WELL, IT AIN'T MY FAULT!

DJ, YOU STILL DOING HOMEWORK?

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FINISH ANYTHING

IF I'M DOING CHORES TILL DARK?

WHAT'S THE CAPITAL OF NEW YORK?

UH...

[SHOUTS]: SARAH?

WHAT?

WHAT'S THE CAPITAL OF NEW YORK?

LOOK IT UP,LIKE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO.

WHY YOU ASKING HER?

ANYBODY KNOWS THE CAPITAL OF NEW YORK

IS NEW YORK CITY.

YOU SURE?

IT'S WHAT I PUT.

SEE?RIGHT HERE. NEW YORK CITY.

IT'S WRONG.

WHAT'D YOU SAY,BOY?

THE CAPITAL OF NEW YORK STATE

IS ALBANY.

HE'S JUST GUESSIN',THAT'S ALL.

AM NOT.MY GRANDMA TOLD ME.

WELL, I AIN'T NEVER HEARD OF YOUR GRANDMA,

AND I AIN'T NEVER HEARD OF ALBANY,

AND I SAYTHAT AIN'T NOTHIN'

BUT A PUCKY-PILE.

THE CAPITAL OF NEW YORKIS NEW YORK CITY.

DON'T BLAME ME

IF YOU'RE TOO STUPID TO EVEN CHEAT.

[RIP]

THAT'S FORCALLIN' ME "STUPID."

[RIP, TEAR, SHRED]

THAT'S FOR BEING STUPID!

COME ON, DJ, SHOW THAT BOY!THAT'LL TEACH HIM!

[KIDS]: FIGHT! FIGHT!FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

- DJ!- FIGHT! FIGHT!

- COME ON!- FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

- COME ON, DJ! GET 'IM!- FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

- [BRAKES SQUEAL]- FIGHT! FIGHT!

DJ?

[GRUNTING]

KNOCK IT OFF, YOU TWO!

I SAID, KNOCK IT OFF!

[♪]

I SAID, KNOCK IT OFF!SIT DOWN!

COME OVER HERE.

AND NOT ONE MORE PEEP

OR YOU'LL FIND YOURSELF

IN MORE TROUBLE THAN YOU'RE ALREADY IN.

AND THAT GOES FOR THE REST OF YA!

NOT ONE PEEP!

[♪]

[MR. BURTON]:YOU EVER HAVE TROUBLE

WITH THAT COLORED BOY BEFORE?

NO, SIR.

THEN WHY THIS TIME?

HE THINKSHE'S SO SMART

JUST 'CAUSE HE KNOWS THINGS.

WELL, MAYBE HE DOES.

WHAT KIND OF THINGS DOES HE KNOW?

NOTHIN' GOOD,JUST THE NAMES OF STUFF.

YOU EVER THOUGHT,IF THIS BOY'S SO SMART,

MAYBE YOU'D LEARN SOMETHING IF YOU'D LISTEN

INSTEAD OF FIGHTIN'?

YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT THAT?

THEY'RE JUST A BUNCH OF POOR COLOREDS, ANYWAY.

I RECKON THERE AIN'T NOTHIN'WORTH LEARNIN'

FROMA BUNCH OF POOR COLOREDS.

[DRAMA ON RADIO CRACKLES IN LIVING ROOM]

CAR 54'SON.

YOU GO AHEAD.

I'M NOT MUCH IN THE MOOD.

[DOOR CREAKS]

YOU STILL STEWIN'ABOUT THE BOY?

I JUST CAN'T HAVE HIM PICKING A FIGHT

WITH EVERY KID THAT CROSSES HIM.

HE'LL BE ALL RIGHT.

JUST GIVE HIM SOME EXTRA CHORES.

THE BOY'S NURSIN'SOME REAL HATRED

FOR THE COLOREDS.

I'M NOT SURE HOW THAT ALL STARTED

OR IF HE HAD A LITTLE HELP ALONG THE WAY...

BUT I'LL TELL YOU ONE THING FOR CERTAIN...

I'LL NOT RAISE THAT BOY UP TO BE A BIGOT.

SO HELP ME, I WON'T.

I JUST KEEP THINKIN'...

THERE'S GOT TO BEA WAY TO BRING THIS RIGHT.

[♪]

[ENGINE SPUTTERS OUT]

MISS FREEMAN?

YES? WHAT IS IT?

STATE YOUR BUSINESS.

I'M DANIEL BURTON.

I RECKON WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT OUR BOYS?

AND, THE NEXT THING I KNOW,

HERE HE IS,WITH HIS CLOTHES ALL TORE UP,

AND HIS NOSE A-BLEEDIN'.AND FOR WHAT?

JUST FOR TRYING TO HELP YOUR BOY

DO HIS HOMEWORK.

WELL, DJ SAID YOUR BOY CALLED HIM NAMES.

SAID HE CALLED HIM "STUPID"

IN FRONT OF HIS FRIENDS.

RODNEY?CALL YOUR BOY STUPID?

I RAISED THAT BOY MYSELF,

EVER SINCE HIS MAMA RAN OFF WHEN HE WAS JUST A BABY.

TO THINK, MY BOYBE CALLIN' YOUR BOY STUPID?

MISTER, YOU DON'TKNOW MY RODNEY.

NO, SIR.

WELL, THE OTHERS HEARD IT, TOO, MA'AM...

NOT JUST HIM.

WELL, HE KNOWS NOWTO STAY AWAY FROM YOUR BOY.

HE TALKS SMART TO YOUR BOY,OR ANY OTHER BOY,

I'LL SEE TO HIS WHIPPIN' MYSELF.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT,TO KEEP FROM GETTING A WHIPPING,

YOUR BOY'LL BE AFRAID TO EVEN SPEAK TO MY DJ AGAIN.

EVER.

AND, DJ,THE SAME THING.

WELL, I 'LOWS THAT'S TRUE...IF'N THAT'S HOW IT BE.

YOU KNOW, MISS EUNICE,I'VE BEEN DOING SOME THINKING.

WHAT IF WE WAS TO PUNISH 'EM

BY INSTEAD OF KEEPING 'EM APART,

PUTTING THEM TOGETHER?

MAKE THEM LIVE TOGETHER FOR A WHOLE WEEK.

HALF OF IT HERE

AND HALF OF IT AT OUR PLACE.

NO, SIR. UH-UH.

AIN'T NOTHIN'BUT A CRAZY IDEA.

WHY, ANYONE CAN SEE THERE'S BARELY ENOUGH ROOM

FOR THE TWO OF USAS-IS.

HERE COMES RODNEY NOW.

YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF THE KIND OF BOY HE IS.

RODNEY?

THIS MAN'S MR. BURTON.

HE'S THE OTHER BOY'S FATHER.

NICE TO MEET YOU.

YOUR STUPID BOY OWES ME A NEW BOOK.

RODNEY!

[DOOR BANGS]

YOU JUST WAIT TILLI CUT ME A HICKORY SWITCH!

[SIGHS GRUDGINGLY]

WELL...

I SUPPOSE I COULD SPARE THE BOY

A COUPLE DAYS.

A COUPLE DAYSIT IS, THEN.

I RECKON A BOY COULD LEARN A LOTIN A COUPLE DAYS.

DON'T YOU?

[SMACKS LIPS]

YES, I DO.

[♪]

PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME!

I'LL NEVER FIGHT WITH HIM AGAIN!

YOU BEST GET ON IN THERE.

WELL, HUSTLE UP, SON!

THEY'RE EXPECTING YOUFOR DINNER.

HEY.YOU MIND YOUR MANNERS.

[♪]

HELLO, THERE, DJ.

COME RIGHT ON IN.I GOT SUPPER WAITIN' FOR YOU.

EVENIN', MISS EUNICE.

EVENING, MR. BURTON.

THERE WE GO.

NOW...

LET US BOW OUR HEADS

AND THANK THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS.

WE THANK THEE,SWEET LORD

JESUS, FOR US TO SHARE THIS MEAL, ONE TO ANOTHER...

AND BLESS THOSE POOR FOLK--

THEM FOLK AIN'T GOT THEMSELVES ENOUGH TO EAT,

WHILE WE ENJOY THIS PLENTY.

AND AS WE PARTAKE OF THIS FOOD,

LET US GROW

NOT ONLY IN STRENGTH,

BUT IN LOVE...ONE TO THE OTHER,

AND A DESIRE TO BE MORE LIKE THEE.

AMEN.

AMEN.

"AMEN?"

AMEN.

SO, YOU BOYS HUNGRY?

[BOYS REMAIN SILENT]

ALL RIGHT.

[DJ'S LIPS SMACKINGAND SPOON CLINKING]

[♪]

WHERE DID A BOY YOUR SIZE

GET HISSELF AN APPETITE LIKE THAT?

IT'S HOW I EAT AT HOME.

YOU LIVED HERE,

AFTER A TIME,THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY HOME LEFT.

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WHITE FOLK HAD

A TASTE FOR SKUNK.

SKUNK?

FRESH.

KILLED IT MYSELF OUT BEHIND THE PRIVY.

I RECKON THAT'S WHERE IT'S BEEN LIVIN'...

...DOWN BELOW,WHERE IT'S WARM.

[RETCHES AND VOMITS]

[LAUGHING]

RODNEY!

WHAT'D YOU TELL HIM SOMETHING LIKE THAT FOR?

LUCKY I DON'THAVE MY SWITCH,

OR I'D BLISTER YOU GOOD!

[STILL LAUGHING]

[STARTS CHUCKLING]

[VOMITING]

[TRIES TO STIFLE LAUGHTER]

WOULD YOU LISTEN TO THAT?'TIS SHAMEFUL.

[RETCHING]

THINK OF ALL THAT FOOD GOING TO WASTE.

[CRACKING UP]: SHAMEFUL!

[BURSTS INTO LAUGHTER]

OH...

OH! [STILL CHUCKLING]

CHILD?

CHILD... HE WAS JOKIN'.

THAT WEREN'T NO SKUNK!

IT'S SQUIRREL.

[RETCHING RESUMES]

[LAUGHING]

[♪]

[RODNEY STIRS]

[SETS BOOK DOWN]

[♪]

WHAT ARE Y'ALL DOING HERE?

ASK MY DADDY.HE MADE ME DO IT.

DO WHAT?

SPEND THE NIGHT.

WITH COLOREDS.

YOU BOYS,KEEP IT QUIET BACK THERE,

YOU HEAR?

[♪]

[DOORS CLUNK]

WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?

Y'ALL LOOK AWFUL.

SHE MADE US SLEEP IN THE SAME BED.

SO?

YOU AFRAID YOU'LLTURN INTO ONE OF THEM?

IT AIN'T CATCHIN'.

[QUIET CHUCKLE ESCAPES]

[♪]

USE THIS ONE.IT'S EASIER.

SO HOW LONG YOUR FOLKS LIVED HERE?

SINCE MY GREAT-GRANDDADDY.

YOU?

SINCE MY GREAT-GREAT-GRANDDADDY CAME.

I RECKON HE CAME OVERONTHE MAYFLOWER.

COLUMBUS.

[STARTS SNICKERING]

WHAT'S SO FUNNY?

NOTHIN'.

IT'S JUST THAT COLUMBUS CAME FROM SPAIN,

NOT ENGLAND,

AND HE CAME ON THE SANTA MARIA,NOTTHE MAYFLOWER,

AND HE'S BEEN DEADA HUNDRED YEARS

BEFORE ANY OF YOUR FOLKS SHOWED UP.

THAT TELLS HOW MUCH YOU KNOW ABOUT IT.

HEY! WATCH WHAT YOU'RE DOIN'!

YOU THINK YOU'RE SO SMART,BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU THINK

BECAUSE YOU'RE JUSTA BUNCH OF POOR COLOREDS

AND NOTHING IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD

CAN CHANGE THAT--NOT ONE BIT.

[♪]

[♪]

[BED SPRINGS CREAK]

[CLAPS BOOK SHUT]

[BOOK HITS SHELF]

[♪]

[♪]

SOMETIMES,HE CAN BE A PILL.

I DON'T BLAME HIM.

I DIDN'T WANT HIMAT MY PLACE, NEITHER.

OH, IT WON'T BE SO BAD

ONCE YOU GETTO KNOW EVERYBODY.

YOU'LL SEE.

FIRST, THERE'S DJ,YOU KNOW HIM ALREADY,

AND MY PAPA,

AND THEN THERE'S GRANDPA,

WHO'S SOMETIMESTHE CRABBIEST MAN,

EVEN IFHE DON'T MEAN IT,

AND MY LITTLE BROTHER,"BOBBER."

DON'T YOU ALL GOT A MAMA?

SHE DIED...

RIGHT AFTER BOBBER WAS BORN.

WELL, MY MAMA RAN OFF WHEN I WAS A BABY.

MY GRANDMA, MISS EUNICE,RAISED ME.

AROUND HERE,

I GUESS WE ALL KIND OF RAISE EACH OTHER.

[♪]

[CLUCKING]

[HENS' CLUCKING AND SCREECHING CONTINUES]

YOU MISSED ONE.

SO DID YOU.

WE'RE ONLY PICKIN' UP TRASH BECAUSE YOU'RE HERE.

IT'S MAKE-WORK.

HOW CAN IT BE MAKE-WORK FOR YOU?

YOU AIN'T PICKED UP NOTHIN'.

IF YOU HATE IT SO MUCH,WHY DON'T YOU QUIT?

'CAUSE I AIN'T LIKE YOU--STUPID AND LAZY.

[GUNSHOT CRACKS AND ECHOES]

WHAT WAS THAT?THINK SOMEONE'S DEAD?

I'M GONNA FIND OUT!

[BLURTS]: WAIT FOR ME!

[DJ]: THERE'S SOMETHIN' MOVING.IT'S COMIN' THIS WAY.

QUICK, BEHIND THE TREE.

YOU HEAR HIM?

NOPE. HE'S STOPPED.

[FLUTTERING AND FLAPPING]

[EXHALES IN RELIEF]

JUST A BIRD.

THINK HE'S GONE?

I RECKON.

WELL, NOW...

WHO'S OURLITTLE FRIEND HERE?

HE AIN'T MY FRIEND.

WELL, WHOEVER HE IS...

IF I WAS HIM,I'D BE CAREFUL

ABOUT SNEAKING AROUND BACKIN THE WOODS.

BE A SHAME TO ACCIDENTALLY MISTAKE YOU

FOR SOME THIEVIN' VARMINT.

[SNIFFS]

[CLACK]

[HYPERVENTILATING]

WHO WAS THAT?

THAT'S JUST CARL HAMMER.

HIS BOY'S IN PRISON FOR KILLIN' A MAN.

I THOUGHT HE'S SURETO KILL ME, TOO!

YOU?

WHY'D HE WASTE HIS TIME KILLING YOU?

[ANIMAL YELPING WEAKLY]

COME ON.

[♪]

I DON'T SEE NOTHIN'.

WHATEVER IT WAS,MUST'VE CRAWLED OFF.

LOOK,THERE'S SOMETHIN'.

[♪]

STILL WARM.

HEY...

BLOOD.

THERE'S SOME MORE.

[ANIMAL WHIMPERING]

[♪]

I BET HE'S IN THERE.

[♪]

WELL, I'LL BE SWITCHED.

IT'S A PUP!

OL' CARL HAMMERSHOT HIMSELF A PUP.

[GRAVEL SLIDING]

YOU WANT TO KILL 'IM?

YOU MOVE HIM WRONG,HE'LL START THRASHIN'.

HE'LL TEAR HIMSELF UPAND BLEED TO DEATH.

WE GOT TO BIND HIM UP.

HOW DO WE DO THAT?

WE'LL USE OUR SHIRTS.

[WHIMPERING]

[RODNEY]: PICK HIM UPFROM UNDERNEATH HIS BELLY,

GENTLE-LIKE.

[♪]

NOT TOO TIGHT.

NOW WHAT?

GET HIM BACK TO THE BARN.

[DJ]: HELP ME HERE.

[PUP WHINES]

[♪]

YOU SURE CARL'S THE ONE THAT DID THIS?

OH, IT WAS CARL,ALL RIGHT.

WE SAWHIM WALKIN' AWAY.

WITH HIS GUN.

WELL, THERE AIN'TMUCH MORE

WE CAN DO NOWBUT WAIT.

[WHIMPERING]

LET'S GET UP HERETO THE HOUSE

AND GET SUPPER BEFORE IT GETS COLD.

CAN'T WEHAVE SUPPER HERE?

JUST IN CASE?

YOU AIN'TGOING TO TELL MISS EUNICE

I MADE YOU EAT IN THE BARN,

ARE YOU?

NO, SIR.

ALL RIGHT, THEN,I SUPPOSE.

COME ON, SISSY.

LET'S GO FIX THESE BOYS A BASKET

BEFORE THEY STARVE.

[♪]

GRANDPA PLAYING DOMINOES THIS EVENING?

RIGHT AFTER SUPPER.

GOOD.

I NEED TO HAVEA LITTLE TALK

WITH OUR NEIGHBOR,

AND IT WOULDN'T HURTTO HAVE A FRIENDLY WITNESS.

[CRICKETS CHIRPING]

IT'S THAT SON-IN-LAW OF YOURS.

HE'S THE PROBLEM.

DON'T GO BLAMIN' HIM.

HE'S KIN.

LET ME ENLIGHTEN YOUABOUT KIN, WYLIE.

THERE'S BLOOD KIN,

AND THENTHERE'S THE KIND HE IS.

YOU THINK ANY BLOOD KIN'LL BE

INVITIN' THEM COLOREDS INTO YOUR HOUSE?

[DANIEL]: HELLO? CARL?

WHOA! WHOA, WHOA!

SETTLE DOWN, NOW.

THAT'S ONLY DANIEL.

YOU GOT NO REASON TO GET ALL RILED UP

EVERY TIME SOMEBODY KNOCKS ON YOUR DOOR.

EVENIN', CARL.

DANNY-BOY, DANNY-BOY.

GET ON IN HERE AND HAVE A DRINK.

OH, THANKS, CARL,

BUT THAT'S NOTTHE REASON I'M HERE.

NO?

FACT IS,

I DON'T APPRECIATEYOU GOING AROUND SHOOTIN' DOGS.

LITTLE PUPS, AT THAT.

DOGS? WHO SAID ANYTHINGABOUT SHOOTING DOGS?

MY BOYAND A PAL OF HIS

FOUND A LITTLE PUPYOU SHOT.

GOT IT DOWN THERE IN THE BARN,TRYIN' TO SAVE IT.

THAT WAS A DOG?

I COULDA SWORNIT WAS THAT THIEVIN' COYOTE'S

BEEN KILLING MY CHICKENS.

MOSTLY RETRIEVER,FROM THE LOOKS OF HIM.

PRETTY HARD TO MISTAKEFOR A COYOTE.

NOT TO MENTION,

THOSE ARE MY WOODSDOWN THERE ALONG THE CREEK,

NOT YOURS.

I NEVER BEEN ONE TO ACCUSEA NEIGHBOR OF TRESPASSING,

AND I AIN'T FIXIN' TO START NOW,

BUT I WOULD APPRECIATE

IF YOU'D BE JUSTA LITTLE MORE CAREFUL.

MY KIDS PLAY DOWN IN THERESOMETIMES.

I'LL SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE,WYLIE.

NIGHT, CARL.

YOU HOLD IT RIGHT THERE.

YOU GOT SOME NERVE--COMIN' ROUND HERE, LECTURIN' ME.

JUST CAN'T LEAVE WELL ENOUGHALONE, CAN YOU?

- CARL!- LEAVE IT BE, WYLIE!

- PUT THE GUN DOWN, CARL.- STAY PUT, I'M TELLING YOU!

YOU KNOW THIS AIN'T GOTNOTHING TO DO WITH ME.

YOU KNOW THAT.

I'M WARNIN' YOU, BURTON.

CARL, DON'T BEA DAMN FOOL!

I AIN'T THE ONEWHO LOCKED UP YOUR BOY.

MIGHT AS WELL YOU DID.

YOU AND THE REST OF 'EM.

WOULDN'T HAVE EVENG ONE TO TRIAL,

'CEPTING THE BOY HE KILLE WAS COLORED.

AND YOU TAKIN' IT OUT ON ME GOING TO SQUARE THAT?

IT'S A START.

[BOOTS SHUFFLE OVER BOARDS]

THEN YOU BEST PULL THE TRIGGER.

THEY HAD NO RIGHT,DOIN' THAT TO MY BOY.

NO RIGHT!

YEAH, I KNOW.I KNOW, I KNOW.

IT'S JUST THE WHISKEY TALKING!

HE DIDN'T MEAN NOTHIN' BY IT.

HE'LL BE ALL RIGHT IN THE MORNIN'.

[DOOR CLOSES]

HOW'D YOU KNOWTO BANDAGE HIM UP

LIKE THAT?

LEARNED IT FROM A BOOK.

A BOOK ABOUT DOGS?

NO, A BOOK ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR,

ABOUT A NURSE WHO FIXED UP UNION SOLDIERS

WHO'D BEEN SHOT.

IF IT WAS ME,I MEAN JUST ME,

I'D HAVE GRABBED HIM UP

AND RUN AS QUICK AS I COULD.

DOG WOULD PROBABLY BE DEAD NOW,

BLED TO DEATH ON THE WAY.

HE'D BE DEAD

IF HE WAS STILL DOWN THEREIN THAT CREEK BOTTOM,

'CAUSE I WASN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO LIFT HIM UP BY MYSELF.

I RECKON IT WAS A GOOD THING WE WERE BOTH THERE.

TOOK BOTH OF USTO SAVE HIM.

HE STILL MIGHT DIE.

HE WAS SHOT PRETTY BAD.

HE'S OUR DOG NOW.

WE AIN'T GOING TOLET HIM DIE.

[♪]

OKAY, THEN,IF THAT DON'T WORK,

WHAT ABOUT "PATCHES?"THAT'S A GOOD NAME?

GOOD NAME FOR A GIRL'S DOG!

MIGHT AS WELL JUST NAME HIM "BUTTERCUP."

BUTTERCUP?I LIKE BUTTERCUP!

HOW ABOUT "BULLET?"

BULLET'S A GOOD NAME.

WELL, I AIN'T SUREHE'D TAKE TOO KINDLY

YOUR NAMING HIM "BULLET,"AFTER WHAT HE'S BEEN THROUGH.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO HOLD OFFON NAMES FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

I'D JUST HATE TO SEE YOUGET SETTLED IN ON ONE

AND THEN FIND OUTHE WASN'T GOING TO MAKE IT.

LOOKS LIKE THE BUS IS HERE.

YOU BEST HURRY UP NOW.

YOU MISS THE BUS,AND YOU'RE WALKING.

THEM'S THE RULES.

THEM'S THE RULES!

AS IF THE RULES MADE ANY DIFFERENCE AROUND HERE.

HURRY, NOW!

GRAB A SEAT.

WHAT'S THE MATTER, BOY?

DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME?

GRAB A SEAT.

I KNOW!

LET'S CALL HIM "BANDIT!"

BANDIT?

SURE.

'CAUSE HE'S AN OUTLAW,LIKE JESSE JAMES--

HUNTED DOWN IN COLD BLOOD,NEARLY KILLED!

THAT'LL REALLYMAKE OL' CARL MAD.

EVERY TIME HE HEARS IT,

HE'LL REMEMBER HOWHE STOLE HIS CHICKENS!

IT'S PERFECT.

"BANDIT:THE OUTLAW DOG."

LET'S SHAKE ON IT.

THERE.NOW IT'S OFFICIAL.

[SHOUTS]: HEY!I THOUGHT WE WAS LATE!

IT AIN'T GETTIN' ANY EARLIER,JUST SITTIN' HERE!

[♪]

[♪]

HEY...

HOW YOU DOING?

IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY.

[♪]

[RODNEY]: COME ON.LET'S CHECK ON BANDIT.

[♪]

[CRYING OUT]: PAPA!

[YAPPING]

BANDIT?

BANDIT! BANDIT!

DJ! IT'S BANDIT!

[ROARING]: BANDIT'S ALIVE!

BANDIT'S ALIVE!

DJ! DJ!

WHOO-HOO!

[MUTTERS]: BOY IS POSSESSED,IF YA ASK ME.

[♪]

[STARTS LAUGHING]

WELL, DON'T THAT TAKE THE CAKE?

I WOULDN'T'VE GIVE YOU A CHANCE IN A HUNDRED...

NOT EVEN A THOUSAND!

[KEEPS CHUCKLING]

[FOOTSTEPS RACING]

SEE? I TOLD YA.

I TOLD YOU WE WEREN'TGONNA LET HIM DIE.

GOOD BOY.

HE'S GONNA BE OKAY!

COME HERE, BANDIT!

HERE, BOY, COME ON!

[BARKING]

[OLDER DJ]: HERE, BANDIT!COME ON, BOY!

THERE YOU GO.GOOD BOY, GOOD BOY.

COFFEE... DARK MOLASSES...FLOUR.

ANYTHING ELSE?

SEEMS THERE WAS SOMETHIN' ELSE,

'CEPT, THESE DAYS,

I CAN'T REMEMBER EVEN TO FORGET.

SURE I'LL THINK OF IT'BOUT THE TIME YOU'RE GONE.

LET'S GO BEFORE

SHE REMEMBERS IT'S SOMETHING HEAVY.

OH! CLABBER GIRL,THAT'S IT!

I NEED MESOME CLABBER GIRL.

UH, YES, MA'AM.

CAN'T FORGET THE CLABBER GIRL.

WHAT IS "CLABBER GIRL,"ANYWAY?

IT'S BAKIN' POWDER.

DIDN'T YOUR MAMA

EVER MAKE YOU RAISED BISCUITS FROM SCRATCH?

IF SHE DID,I DON'T REMEMBER.

TOO LONG AGO.

YOU EVER THINK OF HER?

WHO, MAMA?

MM-HMM.

YEAH, SOMETIMES.

I TRY REAL HARD TO REMEMBER HER,

BUT, AFTER AWHILE,

IT'S TOUGH TO KNOWIF I REALLY REMEMBER ANYTHING,

OR IF I JUST REMEMBER THAT I USED TO REMEMBER.

YOU?

I WAS TOO YOUNG.

BESIDES, MISS EUNICE SAID THE LESS I KNEW, THE BETTER.

SHE SAID MY MAMA WAS LIKE THE WILD WIND

THE DEVIL HIMSELF COULD NOT TAME.

[WHISTLES]

"WILD WIND THE DEVIL HIMSELF COULDN'T TAME."

THAT'D BESOMETHING TO SEE.

YOU EVER WONDER IF YOU'D RECOGNIZE HER

IF YOU SAW HER,ALL GROWED-UP?

MAYBE.

I FOUND A PICTURE OF HER WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.

I HAD TO HIDE ITFROM MISS EUNICE, THOUGH,

SO SHE WOULDN'T TAKE IT.

MAN... SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL.

I KNOW.

I SEEN IT.

YOU DID NOT.

DID TOO.

STUCK RIGHT THEREINHUCKLEBERRY FINN.

FOUND IT THE FIRST NIGHTI STAYED AT YOUR PLACE.

WHAT YOU DOIN'LOOKIN' AT MY BOOKS?

WHAT YOU AFRAID OF,THAT I'D READ ONE?

MIGHT BE SURPRISED.

GO LONG.

COME ON!

[RADIO PLAYING NEARBY]

MORNING, MR. SHOUP.

WELL, LOOK WHO'S HERE.

IF IT AIN'T RODNEY FREEMAN.

I'D HALF EXPECT TO SEE YOUR NOSE IN A BOOK.

HOW'S MISS EUNICEDOIN' TODAY?

SHE'S FINE.

SHE STILL KEEPING THAT SWITCH GOOD AND HANDY

IN CASE YOU GET IDEAS IN YOUR HEAD?

I BET SHE IS.

SO WHAT YOU NEED THAT I DON'T GOT, SON?

UH... SOME INSTANT COFFEE,DARK MOLASSES,

AND SOME FLOUR.

CLABBER GIRL.

OH, AND SOME CLABBER GIRL,PLEASE.

CLABBER GIRL?

I JUST OPENED UP A NEW CASE.

HERE, LET ME GET YOUA FRESH ONE.

HERE YOU GO.

HERE.BEST BE TAKING ONE OF THESE.

WHAT IS IT?

THAT'S VOTER REGISTRATION.

MISS EUNICE IS SIGNED UP TO VOTE, AIN'T SHE?

I... DON'T KNOW.

IT'S LIKELY.

YOU GOT TO BE SURE, SON.

WE GOT US AN ELECTION THIS FALL.

THERE'S GOING TO BESOME CHANGES COMIN',

AND YOU BEST BE READY.

WHAT'S HE TALKING ABOUT,"CHANGES COMIN'?"

AW, THAT'S JUSTOLD MAN SHOUP

LOOKIN' TOSTIR THINGS UP.

WELL, AS IF THINGS AIN'T STIRRED UP ENOUGH ALREADY.

HEY, COME ON,BANDIT!

LET'S GOFIND MISS EUNICE.

COME ON, BOY.

[CALLS OUT]: MISS EUNICE?

RODNEY FORGOT YOUR CLABBER GIRL!

AND DJ ATEALL YOUR MOLASSES.

HEY-- BANDIT, COME HERE.

GRANDMA?

[BAG HITS GROUND]

[BELLOWS]:RODNEY! COME! QUICK!

GRANDMA?

[RODNEY STARTS SOBBING]

GRANDMA...

[WEEPING]

[♪]

[WYLIE]: WHAT DO YOU MEAN,"IT'S SETTLED?"

JUST THAT.

IT'S SETTLED.

THE BOY'SCOMIN' TO LIVE WITH US.

IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED,

FARM PRICES ARETHE LOWEST THEY'VE BEEN

IN FIVE YEARS.

WINTER'S COMING'!

WE'RE GOING TO BE LUCKY TO FEED THE MOUTHS WE GOT.

WE'LL GET BY SOMEHOW.

WE ALWAYS DO.

YOU KNOW, I-I...

I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU GOT IT INTO YOUR HEAD

THAT IT'S OUR JOB

TO TAKE CAREOF EVERY STRAY

OR ORPHAN COMES ALONG.

THE BOY'S GOT KIN.

LET HIS OWN FOLK TAKE HIM IN.

NOW, RODNEY AIN'T EVERY STRAY OR ORPHAN NOW, IS HE?

HE'S PRACTICALLY FAMILY ALREADY.

BESIDES THAT,IT WOULDN'T BE RIGHT,

HIM LIVING UP THERE,ALL ALONE.

LOOK, L-LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT FAMILY.

THERE'S FAMILY,AND THERE'S--

THERE'S BLOOD FAMILY,

AND IF YOU CONFUSE THE TWO,IT'S ALWAYS TROUBLE.

CARL AIN'T GOING TOLIKE THIS ONE DARN BIT,

THAT BOY MOVING IN HERE,

AND YOU KNOWHE'S NOT ALONE.

SO HERE'S A QUESTION FOR YOU.

IF YOU'RE SO WORRIED

ABOUT WHAT CARL HAMMER'SGOT SO MUCH TO SAY,

WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS,

WHO YOU PLANNING ON ANSWERING TO,

COME JUDGEMENT DAY--

THE GOOD LORDOR CARL HAMMER?

[♪]

[RODNEY CHUCKLING]

YOU KNOW,HE'S JUST A FUNNY OLD MAN,

BUT, YOU KNOW,

AFTER MY UNCLE ELIAS PASSED AWAY,

MISS EUNICE HAD INHERITED ALL HIS THINGS...

WHICH INCLUDED THIS OLD COPPER STILL

THAT HE'D USED FROM HIS OLD MOONSHINING DAYS.

MOONSHININ'?

THAT'S ILLEGALWHISKEY.

THEY CALLED IT "MOONSHINE"'CAUSE THEY MADE IT AT NIGHT

SO THEY WOULDN'T GET CAUGHT.

MM-HMM. SO, ONE FALL DAY,STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BLUE,

MISS EUNICE DECIDES

SHE'S GOING TO SET UPOLD UNCLE ELIAS' STILL.

HA! WELL, THAT REMINDS MEOF OL' CARL, YOU KNOW.

HE ONCE GOT IT IN HIS HEAD

HE WAS GOING TO MAKE SOME WHITE-LIGHTNIN'--

SHH! GRANDPA!

WOULD YOU LET HIM TELL IT?

WELL, COME ON NOW,YOU HEARD THE BOY.

KEEP GOIN'!

WELL... I GUESS WORD HAD GOTTEN AROUND

THAT THIS LITTLE OL' COLORED WOMAN

HAD FIRED UP A STILL,

AND...IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.

NEXT THING YOU KNOW,

ALL THESE FELLAS FROM THE GOVERNMENT

START SHOWIN' UP, YOU KNOW,WITH GUNS DRAWN AND EVERYTHING--

THEY WEREN'T GONNA SHOOT HER,WERE THEY?

WELL, THEY HAD INTENDED TO FIND OUT WHAT'S WHAT,

THAT'S FOR SURE.

THE HEAD HONCHO...

HE HAD PRIDED HIMSELF

ON KNOWING MOONSHINE WHEN HE FOUND IT,

SO, QUICK AS CAN BE,

GRABS HIMSELF A JAR...

AND PROCEEDS OVER TO THE STILL,

AND DECIDES TO HAVE HIMSELF A TASTE.

AH... [EXHALES DRAMATICALLY]

NO SOONER DID ITHIT THE BACK OF HIS THROAT

THAN HE STARTED,JUST, YOU KNOW,

COUGHING AND HACKING AND--

AND SWEARING AND CUSSING--

WHY?

WAS IT BAD MOONSHINE?

WELL...

WELL, THAT'S JUST IT.

SEE, IT WASN'T MOONSHINE AT ALL.

MISS EUNICE HAD SET UPTHAT OLD STILL

AND WAS MAKING HERSELF

A BIG BATCH

OF LYE SOAP.

[WYLIE]: LORD HAVE MERCY!

OH, MY GOODNESS.

[WARM LAUGHTER]

I HOPE YOU'RE WRITIN'SOME OF THESE DOWN.

WRITIN' WHAT DOWN?

YOUR STORIES!THEY'RE SO WONDERFUL.

SARAH'S RIGHT.

YOU REALLY SHOULD BE WRITIN' 'EM DOWN.

THEY...THEY'RE JUST FAMILY STORIES.

I DON'T IMAGINE

ANYONE WOULD ACTUALLY BE INTERESTED IN 'EM.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT, SON.

YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED.

[♪]

[♪]

[RADIO NEWS ANNOUNCER]:STUDENT PROTESTS

CONTINUED TODAY ON MANY COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

MORE EVIDENCE OF THE RISING TIDE

OF CIVIL UNREST SWEEPING THE COUNTRY,

WHILE, IN THE SOUTH,

MARCHES HELD IN SEVERAL MAJOR CITIES

ERUPTED IN VIOLENCE WHEN POLICE FIRED TEAR GAS--

MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT THE WORLD'S COMING TO,

DON'T IT?

THAT ALL OF HER?

YEAH.

HARDLY WORTH THE TROUBLE BRINGING IT IN.

WELL... WOULDN'T TAKE ITSO HARD, DANIEL.

PLENTY OF COMPANY THIS YEAR,

WITH THE PRICES SO SOFT AND ALL.

THERE YOU GO.

HOPEFULLY, THINGS'LLBE BETTER NEXT YEAR.

WELL, IF NOT,

IT'S LIKELY I'LL JUST PLOW IT UNDER

BEFORE IT PLOWS ME.

[GRUNTS AND SIGHS]

HOW BAD IS IT?

[STARTS TRUCK]

WE'LL GET BY SOMEHOW.

[TRUCK RATTLES]

DIDN'T KNOW YOU'D BE BRINGIN' IN A MIGHTY SEQUOIA.

BLAME BOBBER,HE PICKED IT OUT.

LET'S DECORATE IT!

PA, WHERE'S THE ANGEL FOR THE TOP?

I KEEP IT WITH YOUR MAMA'S THINGS.

I'LL GO GET IT.

[♪]

[SIGHS]

[DANIEL, QUIETLY]:EVERY YEAR,

WHEN I SEE THAT GOLDEN ANGEL,

I TELL MYSELF

IT AIN'T MINE TO QUESTION.

THE LORD TOOK HER WHEN HE THOUGHT BEST...

BUT, STILL...

I KNOW HOW YOU MISS HER.

WE ALL DO.

SHE WOULD'VE LOVED THIS CHRISTMAS...

BOBBER GETTING SO BIG AND...

RODNEY HERE AND ALL.

WELL, THENIT'S ONLY FITTIN'

SHE WATCH FROMAN ANGEL'S PERCH...

HIGH UP ON THE TREE...

JUST LIKE ALWAYS.

[SNIFFLES]: YEAH.

COME ON.

HOLD ON JUST A SECOND.

[TAKES AN UNSTEADY BREATH]

I DON'T WANT THE BOYS

TO SEE MELIKE THIS HERE, SO...

[SNIFFLES AND SIGHS]

YOU LOOK FINE.

[SIGHING]: OKAY.

[♪♪]

TEAM WORK, BOYS,WE'RE A TEAM HERE.

HERE COMES SOME MORE NOW.

♪ ALWAYS STAYED STRONG ♪

♪ EVEN WHEN THE CROPS FAILED ♪

♪ WE KEPT ON KEEPIN' ON ♪

♪ BACKS AGAINST THE WALL ♪

♪ WORLD TRIED TO KNOCK US DOWN ♪

♪ WE JUST WOULDN'T FALL ♪

♪ WE'LL GET BY SOMEHOW ♪

♪ WE ALWAYS DO ♪

♪ AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES A HOME TURN INTO TRUE ♪

♪ AND WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWNWE'LL SEE IT THROUGH ♪

♪ WE'LL GET BY SOMEHOW ♪

♪ WE ALWAYS DO ♪

♪ BACK WHEN WE WERE YOUNG ♪

♪ NOTHING BUT TIMETO LOSE ♪

♪ WE KEPT THE FAITH IN THE LORD ♪

♪ IF WE FORGET NOW ♪

♪ WHAT WE KNEW THEN ♪

♪ WHAT GOOD WAS IT BEFORE? ♪

♪ WE'LL GET BY SOMEHOW WE ALWAYS DO ♪

♪ AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES A HOME TURN INTO TRUE ♪

[♪]

GUARDING THE TREE?

AIN'T NOTHING TO GUARD.

AIN'T NOTHING HERE AT ALL.

WELL, LOOKIE HERE.

FIRST ONE I CAME TOHAS YOUR NAME ON IT.

SOCKS.

I ALREADY KNEW THAT.

I ALWAYS GET SOCKS.

LISTEN, BOBBER.

IT'S BEEN A PRETTY HARD YEAR,WHAT WITH THE HARVEST AND ALL.

MIGHT NOT BE A LOTFOR ANY OF US THIS CHRISTMAS,

BUT WHAT WE DON'T HAVEIN PRESENTS,

WE CAN MAKE UP FORIN OTHER WAYS,

LIKE BEING TOGETHER,

AND BEING THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE DO HAVE.

WE JUST ALL GOT TO TRY EXTRA HARD, OKAY?

OKAY.

YOU HAVE TO PROMISE.

OKAY. I PROMISE.

NOW, THAT'SA GOOD LITTLE BOBBER.

NOW YOU BESTBE GETTING TO BED.

COME ON,LET ME TUCK YA IN.

OKAY.

[♪]

[♪]

WOULD YOU LOOK AT THIS ONE?

IT SAYS "RODNEY."

YOU DIDN'T HAVE TOGET ME ANYTHING,

AFTER EVERYTHING YOU'VE ALREADY DONE.

[WRAPPING CRINKLES]

WELL, ARE YOU GOING TO OPEN IT,

OR DO WE HAVE TO GUESS WHAT'S IN IT?

[LAUGHS]

NEW JEANS!

THANKS, MR. BURTON.

WELL, DON'T THANK ME.IT'S FROM ALL OF US.

I NEVER HAD NEW JEANS BEFOREIN MY WHOLE LIFE!

[RODNEY CHUCKLES]

MISS EUNICE ALWAYSUSED TO GET ME SECONDHAND JEANS

FROM OL' MAN SHOUP.

COUPLE OF TIMES,THERE WAS STILL SOMEBODY IN 'EM.

[LAUGHTER]

WELL, FRIENDSAND NEIGHBORS,

IT LOOKS LIKETHAT'LL DO 'ER

FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

WELL, NOT QUITE.

TURNS OUTTHERE'S A LITTLE SOMETHING MORE.

WHERE'S HE GOIN'?

TO GET YOUR NEW BABY BROTHER.

DJ!

ALL RIGHT, NOW...

NOW, BEFORE YOU ALL GO GETTING ALL EXCITED,

THERE'S SOMETHING I'D BEST EXPLAIN.

BACK WHEN I WAS A BOY,ONE PARTICULAR CHRISTMAS,

IT HAD BEENA PRETTY ROUGH YEAR.

NOW, WE'RE WEREN'T EXPECTING MUCH,

BUT, COME CHRISTMAS MORNING,

HERE WERE ALL THESE GIFTS WRAPPED AND UNDER THE TREE,

JUST LIKE ALWAYS.

NOW,YOUR GRANDMA BURTON--

THAT'S MY MAMA--

SHE 'BOUT HAD A FIT.

SHE LOOKED AT MY DADDY AND SAID,

"WHERE'D YOU GET THE MONEY FOR ALL THAT THERE?"

HE JUST SMILED AND LAUGHED, SAID,

"DON'T YOU KNOW NOTHING,WOMAN?

"EVEN IF YOU'RE FLAT BROKE,

YOU CAN STILL HAVE SOME CHRISTMAS."

NOW, YOU SEE, TO HIM,"SOME CHRISTMAS" MEANT

GIVING ALL THOSE THINGS THAT YOU WANTED TO GIVE

WHEN NOTHING BUT YOUR HEART COULD AFFORD IT,

SO, THIS YEAR,

I THOUGHT WE SHOULD HAVE US"SOME CHRISTMAS," TOO.

HERE YOU GO, DJ.

I HOPE YOU LIKE IT.

WHAT IS IT?WHAT IS IT?

[PAPER RUSTLES]

[LAUGHS]

IT'S A TRU-FLEX BASS ROD WITH PENN REEL.

WELL, I SEEN YOU EYEIN' IT

IN MERTON'S STORE WINDOW EVERY TIME YOU WENT DOWNTOWN.

IT'S JUST WHAT I WANTED.

THANKS, POP.

BUT...BUT IT'S JUST A PICTURE!

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

SISSY?

[SNAPS RIBBON]

[♪]

IT'S BEAUTIFUL, PAPA.

WELL, YOU DESERVE SOMETHIN' A PRETTY GIRL WOULD LIKE.

HARD AS YOU WORK AROUND HERE?

RIDIN' HERD ON ALL OF US?

I HOPE IT'S YOUR COLOR.

I SURE THOUGHT IT LOOKED LIKE YOU.

POPS!

GOT A LITTLE SOMETHING WITH YOUR NAME ON IT HERE.

OPEN IT! OPEN IT!

I WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU GOT!

[SISSY]:WHAT IS IT, GRANDPA?

A CHAIR.

[SCOFFS]:THAT'S NOT JUST ANY CHAIR!

THAT'S A CUSTOM EZ-BOY RECLINER.

TOP-GRAIN IMPORTED LEATHER,ALL THE WAY FROM ITALY.

LET MESEE THAT, GRANDPA.

[WHISTLES, IMPRESSED]

WOULD YA LOOK AT THAT?

FOUR SEPARATE CYCLO-MASSAGE MOTORS.

THAT'S JUST GOT AS MANY MOTORS AS A BOEING-707!

[CHUCKLES]: LET MESEE THAT THING.

WHAT AM I GOING TO DOWITH FOUR CYCLONE MOTORS?

[CHUCKLES WARMLY]

[GRUFFLY]: AW,YOU'RE ALL CRAZY,

LIKE YOUR DADDY.

WHAT ABOUT ME?

I WANT SOME CHRISTMAS, TOO!

WELL, HERE YOU GO, PAL.

I GOT A BICYCLE!

HEY, THAT'S JUST NOT "ANY" BICYCLE.

THAT'S A STINGRAY.

I KNEW THAT!

I SEE YOU RIDING SISSY'SBIG OL' GIRL'S BIKE AROUND HERE,

DODGING THE ROCKS AND TREES.

SO THAT'S WHERE MY BIKE'S GONE,

YOU LITTLE SNEAK!

♪ I GOT A STINGRAY!I GOT A STINGRAY! ♪

AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST...RODNEY.

[♪]

WHAT IS IT?

I THOUGHT IT MIGHT MAKE IT EASIER

FOR YOU TO WRITE DOWN THOSE STORIES YOU LIKE TO TELL.

[♪♪]

THANKS, MR. BURTON.

I'M SURE I'LL WRITE DOWN SOME GOOD THINGS WITH IT.

I KNOW YOU WILL.

I HAVE NO DOUBT.

[RODNEY, WRITING]:THAT NIGHT,

AS THE FAMILY GATHERED AROUND THE TABLE,

WHO COULD HAVE IMAGINED

THAT A FEW CLIPPINGS FROM ASEARS CATALOG

WOULD HAVE TURNED A MEAGER CHRISTMAS

INTO A CELEBRATION OF SUCH JOY...

A CELEBRATION NOT OF THINGS,

BUT OF HOPE...

A HOPE THAT DIDN'T HANG ON MONEY

OR WEATHER OR CROPS,

BUT SIMPLY... ON HOPE ITSELF.

[♪]

[♪]

COMIN'?

IN A MINUTE.

YOU'RE THE ONEWHO WANTED

TO FIX MISS EUNICE'S PORCH,NOT ME.

I SAID I'M COMIN'.

HEY, YOU WANT A COLA FROM SHOUP'S?

IF YOU'RE BUYING,I'M SURE ENOUGH DRINKING.

[DJ]: NOW, WHATIN HEAVEN'S EARTH

IS HE UP TO NOW?

AND PUT THE CHAIRS IN THERE.

I NEED SIX TO A ROW,

AT LEAST SIX TO A ROWON EITHER SIDE.

AFTERNOON, MR. SHOUP.

WHY, RODNEY FREEMAN!

WHERE YOU BEEN, BOY?

I AIN'T SEEN YOU

SINCE YOUR GRANDMOTHER PASSED.

I'VE BEEN OUTAT THE JERRITT PLACE.

THEY GOT YOU WORKING OUT THERE, HUH?

MM, NOT WORKIN',HE LIVES THERE.

THAT RIGHT?

TOOK YOU IN LIKE FAMILY,DID THEY?

I RECKON.

SO WHAT'S THE TENT FOR,SOME KIND OF REVIVAL MEETIN'?

WELL, THERE'S CERTAINLY GONNA BE A LOT OF PREACHIN',

IF THAT'SWHAT YOU MEAN.

WE GOT FOLKS ARRIVING ALL THE WAY DOWN FROM DETROIT

TO GET US ORGANIZED TO VOTE.

JUST 'CAUSE YOU LIVIN'WITH THEM WHITE FOLKS

AIN'T NO CAUSE TO FANCY YOURSELF ONE.

NO OFFENSE, BOY.

[♪]

COME ON, RODNEY.

WE GOT WORK TO DO.

[SMUGLY]: I HEAR THAT FAMILY OF YOUR'S CALLIN'.

SEEMS YOU GOT WORKTO DO, NOW.

[DOOR CREAKS OPEN]

WHAT TIME'S THE MEETING?

7:00, SHARP.

I RECOMMEND YOU GET THERE EARLY,

GET YOURSELF A SEAT.

I PREDICT THEY'LL BE STANDIN' ROOM ONLY.

[♪]

WE NEED TO REPLACE THE SIDING ON THE BARN.

A LOT OF IT'S ROTTED.

THERE'S SOME 12-BYSYOU CAN USE.

BOBBER,YOU CAN HELP GRANDPA.

YES, SIR.

YOU KNOW, THERE PROBABLY AIN'T 10-BOARD-FOOT

OF SOLID WOOD LEFT

IN THE WHOLE BARN.

WELL, THEN, BY TONIGHT,THERE'S GOING TO BE 20.

SO, YOU GUYS,

Y'ALL COME ALONG WITH ME.

THERE'S A FARM AUCTION DOWN IN TAYLOR THIS EVENING.

MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND SOMETHING ON THE CHEAP.

ACTUALLY, MR. BURTON,

I WAS HOPING TO GODOWN TO SHOUP'S TONIGHT.

YOU KNOW, THERE'SSOME ORGANIZERS

COMING INFROM DETROIT, SO--

CAN I GO?I WANT TO GO WITH RODNEY!

BOBBER, SHH!

BOBBER, YOU AIN'T RUNNING AROUND THESE ROADS AFTER DARK,

AND THAT'S THE END OF IT.

SO WHAT DO YOU SAY, JUNIOR?

THINK ME AND YOU CAN MANAGE IN TOWN BY OURSELVES?

IT'S NOT EVEN FAIR!

HE GETS TO GO OFF

AND LISTEN TO A BUNCH OF STIR POTS,

AND WE GOT TO STAY AND DO HIS CHORES?

COME ON, GRANDPA.

EVERYONE DOES HIS SHARE AROUND HERE, AND MORE.

YOU KNOW THAT.

IF HE WANTS TO GO,I FIGURE HE SHOULD,

UNLESS, OF COURSE,HE TAKES ME WITH HIM.

I'VE HAD ENOUGH PREACHIN' FOR A LIFETIME.

WELL, IT AIN'T FAIR,

AND I KNOW WE HAVE TOMAKE ALLOWANCES,

BUT THAT DON'TMAKE IT RIGHT.

NOW WHERE YOU GOIN'?

IN CASE YOU FORGOT,SOME OF US GOT CHORES TO DO.

12-BYS ARE ON THE LEFT,BY THE GARDEN HOSE.

[♪]

[RAPPING]

WELL... HOWDY THERE,MR. JERRITT.

ME AND PA'SBEEN EXPECTING YOU.

REMEMBER JAKE-BOY?

HE JUST MADE PAROLE.

NEVER EVEN KNEW ABOUT ITTILL HE SHOWED UP AT THE DOOR.

'COURSE I REMEMBER JAKE.

WELL, WELCOME HOME,THERE, YOUNG FELLA.

WELL, YOU'RE JUST IN TIME.

JUST IN TIME FOR WHAT?

JAKE-BOY HERE FIGURES

IF THEM COLOREDS CAN HOLD A MEETIN' DOWN AT SHOUP'S,

THEN MAYBE WE SHOULD HOLDA LITTLE MEETIN' OF OUR OWN.

[CONCERNED]: WHAT ARE YOU FIXIN' TO DO?

NOTHIN'.AIN'T GOING TO DO NOTHIN'.

JUST GET THEIR ATTENTION...

AND THEN MAYBE DISCOURAGE 'EMA LITTLE BIT.

WE WANT YOU TO COME ALONG.

THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU'VE GOT TO HELP WITH THE ATTENTION-GETTERS.

JAKE'S GOT 'EM AT HIS PLACE.

COME ON.I'LL EXPLAIN ON THE WAY.

WELL?

SEE?

TOLD YOU HE WOULDN'T.

HELL, WYLIE...

I THOUGHT YOU'D WELCOME THE CHANCE

TO GET EVEN WITH THEM COLOREDS.

I GOT NO ISSUE WITH THE COLOREDS.

OH, IS THAT RIGHT?

WELL,YOU KNOW WHAT I THINK?

I THINK YOU'RE NOTHIN'BUT AN OLD FOOL.

WORST PART IS,YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW IT.

COME ON, JAKE.

WE GOT OURSELVES A LITTLE MEETIN' TO ATTEND.

[♪]

OH, GOD... THE BOY!

[SHOUP]: TONIGHT,OUR SPEAKER COMES TO US

FROM THAT GREAT MOTOR CITY,DETROIT,

WHERE SHE HAS FOUGHT BRAVELY

IN THE BATTLE FOR OUR CIVIL RIGHTS...

AND, TONIGHT,SHE BRINGS THAT BATTLE

RIGHT HERE TO OUR LITTLE TOWNOF CANAAN, TEXAS.

IT IS MY GREAT GOOD PRIVILEGE

TO INTRODUCE TO YOU

ANGELA KNIGHT!

YEAH!

[APPLAUDING]

[♪]

[GASPS, WINDED]:DANIEL!

DANIEL...

WHAT IN THE WORLD'STHE MATTER WITH YOU?

YOU LOOK LIKE YOU SEEN A GHOST!

IT'S CARL.

HE'S GOT HIS BOY WITH HIM.

JAKE? I THOUGHT THEY LOCKED HIM UP FOR GOOD?

WELL, THEY DIDN'T,

AND THE BOTH OF THEM' SHEADED DOWN TO SHOUP'S,

TO BUST UP THE MEETIN'.

WELL, WHY DIDN'T YOUDO SOMETHIN'?

WELL, I TRIEDTO DO SOMETHIN'!

DON'T YOU THINK I TRIED?

I-I TRIED TO REASON WITH 'EM,

BUT H-HE WOULDN'T LISTEN TO ME,WITH HIS BOY, JAKE, THERE.

- WE GOT TO STOP 'EM.- STOP WHO?

CALL THE SHERIFF AND TELL HIM

CARL HAMMER'SHEADED FOR SHOUP'S

AND HE'S GOT JAKE WITH HIM.

NOT JAKE HAMMER?

DJ, GO GET YOUR RIFLEAND MAKE IT QUICK.

DJ, WHO'S JAKE HAMMER?

STAY OUT OF IT,BOBBER.

WHO'S JAKE HAMMER?

NOT NOW, BOBBER.

WYLIE, JUMP IN THE TRUCK. YOU'RE COMING WITH ME.

ME? WHY ME?

BECAUSE YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE ON THIS PLANET

THAT MIGHT BE ABLETO TALK SOME SENSE INTO HIM.

NOW COME ON, GET IN!

COME ON, LET'S GO.HUSTLE UP!

HEY, HEY, BOBBER.

NOT NOW.BACK IN THE HOUSE NOW.

COME ON.THIS DON'T CONCERN YOU.

GO ON.

PAPA THINKS THEY'RE GOIN' DOWN TO SHOUP'S.

WELL, HOW SOON?

YOU GOTTA HURRY!WE GOT FAMILY THERE.

BOBBER, NO!

I GOT TO TELL RODNEY ABOUT JAKE HAMMER!

YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!

TRUE POWER...

RESIDES IN THE PEOPLE--

YEAH!

...WHO KNOW

THEY HAVE

THE POWER.

[♪]

TRUE POWER...

RESIDES IN THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO USE IT!

YEAH!

[APPLAUDING]

[♪]

YOU SURE THEY WERE COMING HERE FIRST?

WELL, THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID!

WE MUST'VEJUST MISSED THEM.

IF WE TAKE THE BACK WAY,

WE MIGHT STILL BEAT 'EM TO SHOUP'S.

GET IN THE TRUCK.

THE POWER...

OF THE VOTE.

THE POWER...

OF DEMOCRACY.

THE POWER...

OF CHANGE.

YEAH!

[♪]

WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK, JAKE-BOY?

YOU RECKON IT'S TIME FOR US

TO CALL OUR LITTLE MEETIN' TO ORDER?

WHY,THERE ARE PLACES

WHERE THE BLACK VOTEIS 58%.

[♪]

WE WOULD HAVE

THE POWER

OF THE MAJORITY.

[GRUNTING]

[BOTTLE SHATTERS]

[CRASH]

COME HERE! COME ON!

COME ON...

[♪]

WHOO! LOOK AT 'ER GO!

COME ON, LET'SGET OUT OF HERE.

[♪]

KILL THE LIGHTS!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING THAT FOR?

WANT 'EM TO GET A DESCRIPTION?

HOW CAN I--I CAN'T SEE!

[TIRES SKIDDING]

[BIKE CRUNCHING]

[TRUCK IDLING]

[♪]

I TRIED TO STOP 'EM...

SOON AS I KNEW WHAT THEY WERE FIXIN' TO DO,

I... I COME RUNNIN'OUT THE HOUSE,

CLEAR OUT TO THE ROAD!

I KNOW.

OL' CARL THERE,

HE NEARLY RUN ME DOWN WITH HIS TRUCK.

I WAS LUCKY IT WASN'T ME GOT HIT.

GRANDPA, PLEASE GIVE IT A REST.

WE KNOW YOU DID WHAT YOU COULD.

HOW IS HE?HOW'S BOBBER?

PAPA'S WITH HIM NOW.

DON'T KNOW MUCH YET.

IT WAS CARL WHO DONE IT.

HIM AND HIS BOY.

IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!

I'D HAVE NEVER LET HIM HURT THAT BOY. NEVER!

IT'S ALL RIGHT, GRANDPA.

NOBODY'S BLAMING YOU.

THANK GOD,YOU'RE ALL RIGHT.

YES, SIR.I'M-- I'M FINE.

EVERYBODY'S FINE.

HOW'S BOBBER?

HE'S PRETTY BANGED UP.

HE'S LOST FEELING IN BOTH OF HIS LEGS.

- OH, NO!- YEAH.

[DANIEL]: DOCTOR THINK SHE MAY GET SOME OF IT BACK,

BUT, RIGHT NOW,IT'S JUST TOO SOON TO TELL.

CAN WE SEE HIM?

BETTER WAIT TILL IN THE MORNIN'.

THEY GAVE HIM SOMETHIN' TO HELP HIM SLEEP.

[NURSE]: EXCUSE ME.

IS ONE OF YOU NAMED RODNEY?

OH, THAT'S ME.

THE BOY'S ASKING TO SEE YOU.

CAN'T WE ALL SEE HIM?

[NURSE]: I'M SORRY.DOCTOR SAYS ONLY ONE AT A TIME.

FOLLOW ME, PLEASE?

[♪]

HI, BOBBER.

HI.

DON'T STAY LONG.

HE NEEDS HIS REST.

I TRIED TO WARN YOU THEY WAS COMIN'.

I KNOW.

THEY TOLD ME WHAT YOU DID.

AWFUL BRAVE OF YOU,HEADIN' OUT LIKE THAT.

JUST LIKE PAUL REVERE,WARNING EVERYONE.

IT WAS THE GIRLS' BIKE.

IF I HAD MY STINGRAY...

I COULD'VE BEATEN 'EM EASY.

I KNOW YOU COULD.

EASY.

I'M REAL PROUD OF YOU,BOBBER.

[SIGHS WEARILY]

[♪]

[BARKING]

[♪]

YEAH! COME ON, BANDIT!FASTER, BOY, FASTER!

[♪]

[DOOR CREAKING]

GRANDPA?

YOU FEELING ANY BETTER TODAY?

[VOICE SHAKING]: CARL NEVER MEANT TO HURT THAT BOY.

YOU COULD GO ASK HIM.

HE'LL TELL YA.

GO ASK HIM.

GRANDPA, CARL'S GONE.

HE'S IN PRISON,REMEMBER?

PRISON?

FOR THE FIRE.

STILL... HE NEVER MEANT TO HURT THE BOY.

I KNOW.

[♪]

DANIEL.THAT ALL OF IT?

THAT'S IT.

I'D SAY YOU HAD YOURSELF A PRETTY GOOD YEAR.

IT'S THE KIND OF YEAR YOU HOPE TO GET AHEAD.

SEEMS LIKELY YOU SHOULD.

WE HAD SOME MEDICAL EXPENSES WE HADN'T COUNTED ON.

OH, THAT'S RIGHT...WITH YOUR BOY.

WELL...

HOPEFULLY,THIS WILL HELP.

THANK YOU.

[LOCKS UNLATCHING]

CAN I HELP YOU?

MY NAMEIS CHARLANE WASHINGTON.

[SISSY]: I'M SORRY?

CHARLANE... FREEMAN...WASHINGTON.

DID YOUSAY "FREEMAN?"

YES.

I'M EUNICE FREEMAN'S DAUGHTER.

RODNEY'S MOTHER.

PLEASE...WON'T YOU COME IN?

THANK YOU.

[BANDIT BARKING]

[BOYS LAUGHING]

[RODNEY SIGHS]: WHEW.

HEY, RODNEY.

SOMEBODY HERETO SEE YOU.

[FLOORBOARDS CREAK]

HELLO, RODNEY.

MAMA?

JUST... LOOK AT YOU.

ALL GROWN UP.

THERE AIN'T NO MISTAKIN' YOU ANYWHERE.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

WHY, I'VE COMETO TAKE YOU HOME.

THIS IS HOME.

[LAUGHS]:I MEAN HOME WITH ME.

I'M MARRIED NOW,TO A GOOD MAN.

A NAVY MAN.

WE GOT OURSELVES A NICE HOUSE OUT IN OAKLAND.

OH, IT'S THE HOUSEI'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO HAVE...

FOR US.

NOW, YOU JUST HOLD ONA MINUTE.

YOU CAN'T JUST ROLL UP IN HERE AND TAKE HIM OFF,

MISS WHOEVER-YOU-THINK-YOU-ARE.

BUT HE'S MY BOY.

WELL, WHERE WERE YOU WHEN MISS EUNICE DIED, HUH?

WHERE WERE YOU WHENNO OTHER SOUL WOULD TAKE HIM IN?

HOLD ON, DJ.

LET'S DON'T GO RUNNING AWAY WITH OURSELVES.

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOWIF SHE'S HIS REAL MOTHER OR NOT?

OF COURSE I AM!

WELL, ANYONE CAN TELL JUST BY LOOKING.

RODNEY, TELL THEM.

TELL THEMI'M YOUR MAMA.

[RODNEY REMAINS SILENT]

RODNEY?

EXCUSE ME.

I HAVESOME CHORES TO DO.

RODNEY--

NOW JUSTHOLD ON A MINUTE.

IF YOU THINK WE'RE JUST GONNA LET SOME STRANGER

WALTZ IN HERE AND TAKE HIM OFF,

YOU'VE SLIPPED A GEAR.

SON, IT AIN'TUP TO US.

WE'VE GOT NO CLAIM ON THE BOY.

NOT A LEGAL ONE,ANYWAY.

BUT HE'S FAMILY!

SO'S SHE,MORE SO THAN US.

LOOK, HE'S NOT GOIN'AND THAT'S THE END OF IT,

AND YOU CAN JUST GO BACKTO WHERE YOU COME FROM.

DJ, YOU NEEDTO SIMMER DOWN.

IT DON'T MATTER WHAT WE THINK.

WHAT MATTERS ISWHAT'S BEST FOR RODNEY,

AND I RECKON HE'S PLENTY OLD ENOUGH

TO MAKE THAT DECISION FOR HIMSELF.

I'M SORRY.

MA'AM, YOU GOT TO UNDERSTAND,

THIS GROUND'S PLOWED PRETTY FRESH.

BEST GIVE HIM THE NIGHT TO SLEEP ON IT.

TOMORROW'S PLENTY SOON ENOUGH TO DECIDE,

DON'T YOU FIGURE?

I SUPPOSE.

I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

[♪]

YOU GOING TO LET HER JUST COME IN HERE

AND TAKE HIM OFF?

WHAT DO WE EVEN KNOW ABOUT HER?

ONLY WHAT SHE TOLD US...

SHE LOVES THE BOY,

WANTS TO TRYTO MAKE THINGS RIGHT.

[CHUCKLES]:IT'S NOT LIKE

HE'S MUCH OF A BOY ANYMORE ANYHOW, YOU KNOW?

I MEAN, UH...

SHE PROBABLY COULDN'T CHANGE HIM NOW,

EVEN IF SHE TRIED.

MISS EUNICE DIDTOO GOOD OF A JOB ON HIM EARLY.

LIKE WE'VE DONE EVER SINCE!

I LIKE TO THINK MAYBE WE MADE A DIFFERENCE.

[QUIETLY]:I DON'T KNOW.

TO SHOW UP WITHOUT A WORD OF WARNING,

AND JUST ANNOUNCE SHE WAS TAKING HIM OFF,

LIKE WE'RE NOTHING MORE THAN FOSTER CARE?

HOW DARE SHE TREAT US LIKE THAT?

SHE HAS NO RIGHT TO BREAK UP THIS FAMILY

TWO WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

HER MOTHER'D BE MIGHTY PROUD OF THAT ONE.

MIGHTY PROUD.

[♪]

YOU THINK JUST 'CAUSE WE LOVE THE BOY,

THAT'S STRONG ENOUGH REASON TO HOLD HIM HERE?

[SOBBING]: WHAT OTHER REASON IS THERE?

I DON'T KNOW, SISSY.

SOMETIMES, I THINK THERE AIN'T NOTHING IN CANAAN

THAT'S STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD HIM.

[CHUCKLES SADLY]

BOY'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD YET TO KNOW.

BRIGHT AS HE IS?

A WORLD BEYOND ANYTHING YOU AND ME COULD EVEN IMAGINE.

NOW, HE SEES IT.

I KNOW HE SEES IT.

THOSE ARE HIS FIELDS TO WORK,

LIKE THESE ARE OURS.

I RECKON IT MIGHT BEGOD'S WAY OF TELLIN' HIM,

"BEST GET A START ON IT."

[SNIFFLES]

[SIGHS]

COME ON.

LET'S GET BACK TO THE HOUSE.

IT'S OKAY.

[♪]

[DOOR BANGS]

[WHEELS SQUEAK]

[CHAIR HITS BED]

WHAT IS IT, BOBBER?

HE'S GONE!

JUST HIM, OR DID HETAKE HIS THINGS?

JUST HIM.

LET'S GOFIND YOUR BROTHER.

HE MIGHT KNOW WHAT'S GOIN' ON.

[CALLS OUT]: JUNIOR?

WHAT'S GOIN' ON?

RODNEY'S GONE.

WELL, I'M NOT SURPRISED.

YOU KNEWHE WAS GOIN'?

NO, BUT I FIGURED HE MIGHT.

AND JUST WHAT IN THE WORLD

AM I SUPPOSED TOTELL HIS MOTHER

WHEN SHE SHOWS UP HERE

EXPECTING AN ANSWER IN A LITTLE BIT?

THAT HE JUST UPAND RAN OFF?

DON'T GETALL RILED UP, OKAY?

I'LL GO FIND HIM.

YOU TELLING MEYOU KNOW WHERE HE'S AT?

YEAH, I GOTA PRETTY GOOD IDEA.

[ENGINE RUMBLES TO A STOP]

RODNEY?

SO?

YOU LEAVIN' OR NOT?

LEAVIN'.

WHY?

IN 17 YEARS,

I HAVEN'T BEENFURTHER WEST

THAN WICHITA FALLS,

AND THAT WAS WHEN I WAS NINE.

WHAT'S WESTOF WICHITA FALLS

THAT'S SOBLASTED IMPORTANT?

OAKLAND, FOR ONE.

THAT'S WHERE MY MOTHER LIVES.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

THAT'S NEAR WHERE JOHN STEINBECK USED TO LIVE,

AND JACK LONDON.

CAN YOU IMAGINE LIVING

WHERE THOSE WRITERS USED TO LIVE?

YEAH, BUT IF YOU STAYED,

MAYBE, ONE DAY,PEOPLE'LL BE COMING TO CANAAN,

TO SEE WHERE YOU LIVED.

EVER THINK ABOUT THAT?

NO.

SEE?

THE WAY I FIGURE IT IS,

I LIVED A YEAR HEREWITH YOU,

I OUGHTA LIVEA YEAR WITH HER.

NOW, WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?

EQUAL PUNISHMENT,

JUST LIKE THE FIFTH GRADE.

[QUIET CHUCKLE]

[TAKES A DEEP BREATH]

[SIGHS]: TO THINK...

IF I HAD JUST DONE MY HOMEWORK,

NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPENING.

IF YOU'D HAVE SHUT UPAND WRITTEN DOWN ALBANY,

LIKE I TOLD YOU,

NONE OF THIS WOULD'VE BEEN HAPPENING.

THAT'SWHAT STARTED IT,

IF YOU'D BOTHER TO REMEMBER.

HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW

THAT YOU KNEW ALBANY FROM A PUCKY-PILE?

HMM...

[LAUGHS]: I GUESS YOU'D HAVE TO THANK MISS EUNICE.

WELL, YOU SEE,

MISS EUNICEWAS BORN IN ALBANY.

[EXASPERATED SIGH]

YEAH, NOW YOU TELL ME.

[BOTH LAUGH]

[SIGHS]: OKAY.

[BARKING]

I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU DID SUCH A GOOD JOB KEEPIN' HIM.

VERY GRATEFUL.

HE'S GOING TO BEA REAL BLESSING TO YOU, MA'AM.

GOD KNOW SHE'S BEEN THAT TO US.

A BLESSING AND MORE.

[SIGHS]

[TRUNK SHUTS]

NOW YOU KEEP ON WRITIN'

THOSE STORIES OF YOURS NOW, Y'HEAR?

YES, SIR. I WILL.

AND I'LL BE BACK REAL SOON.

YOU COME BACK HERE,WE'LL PUT YOU TO WORK--

[CHUCKLES]

...MAKE YOU EARN YOUR KEEP.

[CLEARS HIS THROAT]

[♪]

TAKE CARE.

[SISSY GASPS]

SEND US LETTERS...AND PICTURES. I--

I'D LIKE A PICTURE OF THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE.

I'LL WRITE YOU EVERY WEEK.

HEY... BYE, BOBBER.

KEEP WORKING ONTHEM LEGS, HUH?

THEY'LL GET STRONGERAND STRONGER,

IF YOU KEEP AT IT, HUH?

OKAY.

[DANIEL CALLS OUT]:HEY, WYLIE?

RODNEY'S LEAVIN'!

DON'T YOU WANT TO SAY GOODBYE?

[A DOOR BANGS SHUT IN THE HOUSE]

HE'S NOT BEEN FEELIN' VERY WELL...

I GUESS ALL THE EXCITEMENT'S

FINALLY CATCHING UP TO HIM.

I'M SUREHE'S GONNA MISS YOU.

UH... TELL HIM GOODBYE FOR ME.

I SURE WILL.

[SIGHING]: ALL RIGHT.

HEY-HEY-HEY. [CHUCKLES]

NOW YOU TAKE CARE OF BANDIT.

HE'S MY DOG, TOO,REMEMBER?

I WILL.

AND... KEEP AN EYEON THE OLD PLACE FOR ME?

SURE.

[DJ PATS RODNEY'S BACK]

[RODNEY EXHALES SHAKILY]

[VOICE BREAKS]: DON'T GO EATING ANY SKUNK NOW, HUH?

I AIN'T PROMISIN'NOTHIN'.

YOU TAKE CARE, NOW.

YOU, TOO.

[ENGINE STARTS]

[CALLING OUT]: DON'T FORGET!

DON'T FORGET!

RODNEY!

WAIT! I THINK HE'S TRYING TOTELL ME SOMETHING.

SLOW DOWN. STOP!STOP THE CAR.

WHAT-- WHAT IS IT?

[VOICE BREAKING]:DON'T YOU FORGET...

[SNIFFS]

...YOU ALWAYS GOT A PLACE HERE IN CANAAN.

YOU'RE FAMILY NOW...

AND FAMILY ALWAYS GOT A PLACE.

[RODNEY, READING]:THE OLD MAN STOOD THERE,

GASPING FOR AIR.

YOU UNDERSTAND?

"YOU UNDERSTAND?

"YOU HEAR ME?

"YOU ALWAYS GOT A PLACE...

"RIGHT HERE...

"RIGHT HERE IN CANAAN, TEXAS.

YOU UNDERSTAND, BOY?"

THE BOY LOOKED BACK

INTO THE FACEOF THE GRANDFATHER--

A FACE MADE SOMEHOW FALLOW BY TRAGEDY.

"YES, MR. JERRITT,"THE BOY REPLIED.

"I DO."

THE OLD MAN NODDED SLIGHTLY AND THEN ADDED,

ALMOST UNDER HIS BREATH,A FINAL BENEDICTION.

"YOU'RE FAMILY NOW,"HE SAID,

"AND ONCE YOU'RE FAMILY,

NO MATTER WHAT...YOU ALWAYS GOT A PLACE."

[APPLAUSE RISES]

THANK YOU.

[QUIET EXCHANGE]

[BOOK HITS GROUND]

[♪]

[♪]

WHERE ARE THOSE BOYS?

THEY'LL BE HERE.

I DON'T SEE

WHY WE COULDN'T HAVE JUST STAYED HERE FOR CHRISTMAS.

IT'S HIS FIRST CHRISTMAS BACK IN CANAAN.

IF HE WANTS TO SPEND ITOUT AT MISS EUNICE'S,

I THINK THAT'S JUST FINE.

SHOULDN'T WE AT LEAST BE BRINGIN'

A TREE OR SOMETHIN'?

HE SAID TO BRING OURSELVES AND NOTHING ELSE.

WHAT WAS IT?

WHERE'D YOU GO JUST NOW?

AH...

JUST WISHING THE OLD MAN WAS STILL HERE.

WYLIE WOULD'VE LOVED HAVING HIM HOME AGAIN.

I'M SURE HE WOULD.

[HORN BLARES]

WELL, THERE THEY ARE.COME ON.

WE BEST GET GOIN',WE'RE GONNA BE LATE.

[♪]

COME ON, Y'ALL.RODNEY'S WAITIN'.

WE'RE COMIN',WE'RE COMIN'.

HANG ON, BOBBER!

[♪]

OKAY...

[BANDIT BARKS]

HEY-HEY-HEY! BANDIT!HOW YOU DOING, BOY?

RODNEY!

BOBBER!

WOW! WHEN'D YOU GETSO BIG?

I GO BY "BOB" NOW.

I MEAN, YOU CAN CALL ME BOBBER,IF YOU WANT.

IT'S JUST THEY CAN'T, NOT ANYMORE.

WELL-- [CHUCKLES]

...BOB'S A GOOD NAME.

IT SUITS YOU FINE.

YOU LOOK WONDERFUL!

THANKS. SO DO YOU.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, SON.

[LAUGHS]

I CAN STILL CALL YOU "SON," CAN'T I?

"SON" WORKS JUST FINE.MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. BURTON.

WELCOME HOME.

THANKS.

IT'S GOOD TO BE HOME.

THANKS FOR TAKING CAREOF THE PLACE, BY THE WAY.

WELL, FIGURED IT WAS EITHER THAT,

OR 'DOZE IT UNDER.

[ALL CHUCKLING]

I-I GUESS YOU ALLARE WONDERIN'

WHY I ASKED YOU HERE.

YEAH, IT HAD CROSSED OUR MINDS.

Y'ALL REMEMBER THESE?

[LAUGHS]

THAT'S "SOME CHRISTMAS!"

YOU KEPT THEM ALL THESE YEARS? WHY?

WELL...

SO I COULD NEVER FORGET

WHAT HAPPENED THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.

MR. BURTON, YOU GAVE ONLY WHAT YOUR HEART COULD AFFORD.

NOW IT'S MY TURN.

COME ON.

[♪♪]

[STUNNED]: THIS IS FOR ME?

WELL, YOU'RE JUST TOO BIG

FOR A STINGRAY!

FIGURED THIS WASTHE NEXT BEST THING.

OH, RODNEY!IT'S BEAUTIFUL!

THANK YOU.

WELL, YOU BEST TRY IT ON,SEE IF IT FITS FIRST.

SEE, NOWYOU'VE GOT NO EXCUSE

FOR CATCHIN' NOTHIN'.

[LAUGHS]: YEAH, BUT I'LL SURE LOOK GREAT TRYIN'.

OH, YEAH, GO AHEAD,TAKE IT FOR A SPIN.

IT'S TOP-GRAIN LEATHER,

THERAPEUTIC HEAT...

AND CYCLO-MASSAGE.

WYLIE WOULD'VE LOVED THIS!

HE'D PROBABLY PARKED HIMSELF IN IT,

AND I'D HAVE HAD A HARD TIME GETTIN' HIM OUT OF IT!

[RODNEY]: I GUESSNOW IT'LL BE DJ

WHO'LL BEGETTING YOU OUT.

THAT'S MIGHTY KIND OF YOU.

I DON'T KNOWHOW TO THANK YOU,

FOR ALL OF IT.

WELL, ACTUALLY,THERE'S ONE MORE THING.

DO YOU MINDIF WE TALK PRIVATELY?

SURE!

SO YOU DID THIS ALL YOURSELF?

I HAD SOME HELP.

UH...

I WANT YOU TO CALL THIS MAN.

"DR. MARCUS HANSON,ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON."

HE THINKS MAYBE HE CAN HELP BOBBER.

WELL...

TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, RODNEY, I...

I JUST DON'T THINK

I CAN AFFORD ANOTHER DOCTOR.

WELL, THIS MAN'SNOT "ANOTHER DOCTOR."

HE'S A TEACHER AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY.

HE CAME TO ONE OFMY BOOK SIGNINGS.

THERE'S SOME NEW THINGS THAT THEY'RE TRYING

FOR PEOPLE WITH SPINAL INJURIES,

NEW TECHNIQUES.

YEAH, I RECKON THAT'D COST ME MORE MONEY

THAN I'M LIKELY TO SEETHE REST OF MY LIFE.

WELL, THAT'S JUST IT...

IT'S NOT GOING TO COST YOU ANYTHING.

HE'LL EVEN FLY BOBBER OUT TO CALIFORNIA.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS COME ALONG.

HE'D DO THAT FOR FREE?

AS PART OF HIS RESEARCH FOR THE UNIVERSITY.

BUT...

WHY WOULD SOME FELLA OFFER TO DO THAT?

OFFER TO HELP OUT SOME KIDHE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW...

FOR FREE?

WELL, I GUESS THAT'S THE REAL STUMPER NOW,

ISN'T IT?

WHY WOULD SOME FELLA

BE WILLING TO DO SOMETHIN' SO GENEROUS

FOR A KIDHE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW?

SEE, I'M SURPRISED,MR. BURTON.

I FIGURED,

OUT OF ANYONE ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH,

IF ANYONE KNEW THE ANSWER TO THAT ONE...

IT'D BE YOU.

AND, SO,AS WE PARTAKE OF THIS FOOD,

LET US GROW NOT ONLY IN STRENGTH,

BUT IN LOVE,

ONE TO THE OTHER...

[♪]

...AND A DESIRE TO BE MORE LIKE THEE.

AMEN.

[JERRITTS]: AMEN.

YOU WANT A ROLL, SISSY?

YES, PLEASE.

YOU WANT SOMEOF THESE 'TATERS, "BOB?"

[LAUGHTER]

THAT NIGHT, AS WE GATHERED AT THE TABLE,

IN OUR HEARTS,

WE KNEW THE PROMISE OF SOME CHRISTMAS

HAD MORE THAN COME ROUND.

AND AS FOR CANAAN BECOMING THE PROMISED LAND?

WELL, FOR ONE BRIEF MOMENT AT LEAST,

WHO COULD DOUBT THAT IT TRULY HAD?

[♪♪]

♪ ALWAYS STAYED STRONG ♪

♪ EVEN WHEN THE CROPS FAILED ♪

♪ WE KEPT ON KEEPIN' ON ♪

♪ BACKS AGAINST THE WALL ♪

♪ WORLD TRIED TO KNOCK US DOWN ♪

♪ WE JUST WOULDN'T FALL ♪

♪ WE'LL GET BY SOMEHOW ♪

♪ WE ALWAYS DO ♪